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Overprescribing has attained prominence as a safety issue due to the current opioid epidemic, but it has long reduced medication safety across the spectrum of health care. The report examines the systemic and cultural issues that contribute to overprescribing and recommends a governmental leadership position to drive change and implement deprescribing and other reduction initiatives.

Overuse and unnecessary care lead to serious patient harms and a cascade of negative consequences. This story describes the overuse behavior of one surgeon to illustrate influences contributing to the problem.

Misdiagnosis can perpetuate over a long period and delay a correct course of treatment. This news feature shares an example of depression misdiagnosis that masked the true problem of a neurological tumor manifesting in what was seen and treated as a psychological condition. 

Antibiotic overuse is a long-standing safety concern due to the potential global public health impact of the practice in supporting drug-resistant bacteria. This news article discusses the overprescribing of antibiotics in context of viral disease pandemics. 

Defensive medicine behaviors seeking to avoid malpractice risk due to care omissions challenge patient safety and value narratives. This legal discussion examines factors driving defensive medicine and reveals complexities associated with the practice and reforms submitted to address them.    

The overprescribing of prescription opioids heightens the likelihood of opioid dependence and harm. This report shares data from 25 countries to provide a baseline for the current crisis. The publication illustrates the complexity of the opioid epidemic and suggests that system-focused multisector strategies are required to address the problem.

Policy, practice, and communication strategies have been implemented in an effort to stem the opioid crisis and prescribing activities that contribute to misuse. This news article and accompanying webcast discuss an initiative in California that sends letters to prescribers whose patients have died due to opioid overdose. The piece outlines unintended consequences associated with the practice, including clinician reluctance to prescribe opioids for pain. An Annual Perspective discussed the patient safety aspects of the opioid epidemic.

Overprescribing of medications is a common problem in nursing homes. This two-part radio segment reports on the inappropriate use of antipsychotic medications as a chemical restraint for patients with dementia. The first part introduces the issue and includes insights from families that have experienced harm due to the practice. The second segment discusses programs that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has put in place to address the problem through a more patient-centered approach to care and suggests strengthening penalties against organizations that overuse antipsychotics.